SoCo's First Thursdays: Take the kids!

Thursday - especially the first Thursday of the month - is a good day to head to the South Congress corridor of eats, shops, and galleries. Doors stay open late for shopping and special events/activities for all ages.

Our favorite First Thursday stop: Yard Dog folk art gallery, from which I bought my then long-distance NYC boyfriend/now husband a "first big gift" in 2002. We love, love, love the artists they represent, and with kids it's a great alternative intro to art appreciation.

Skip the First Thursday parking headaches by leaving your car at the FREE One Texas Center on Barton Springs Rd. to catch a ride on the FREE Dillo trolley - It runs every 10 minutes from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on First Thursdays. Your kids will probably find the trolley ride a destination unto itself, while you're also supporting public transportation in Austin!